Authors:
Nienke Beintema, Patricia Carmichael, and Sandra Perez
Year:
2017
Publisher
International Food Policy Research Institute and Department of Agricultural Research and Specialist Services
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Declining government support
Government support to the country’s main agricultural research agency, DARSS—which was already comparatively small—declined in recent years (in inflation-adjusted terms). As a result, funding levels have only been sufficient to cover staff salaries, causing a deterioration of infrastructure and equipment. DARSS has been successful in securing donor funding for various projects, which has compensated for the shortfall in government funding somewhat. Higher levels of funding are needed, however, if agricultural research in Swaziland is to become more productive and efficient.
Small institutional system
Swaziland’s national research system is one of the smallest in Africa. It is also unique in that its university, UNISWA, employs more agricultural researchers (in FTEs) than does its main government research agency, DARSS. UNISWA also employs a comparatively high share of PhD-qualified researchers, whereas DARSS employed just one during 2009–2014. The total number of researchers employed at DARSS declined somewhat due to staff attrition and a slow recruitment process.
Positive policy developments
The recently approved national policy on agricultural research calls for improved priority setting. The policy also recommends that research platforms be established at both regional and national levels. It is intended that such platforms will facilitate interactions among stakeholders in determining the research agenda. In addition, a draft bill to form an agricultural research authority is currently awaiting parliamentary debate.
Underinvestment but high intensity
Swaziland’s intensity ratio fell to 0.93 percent in 2014 as a result of declining spending levels. Although this level is close to the 1 percent minimum level recommended by the African Union and the United Nations, small countries like Swaziland generally require high investment in research and development because—in contrast with larger countries—they are unable to take advantage of economies of scale. As a result, basic research infrastructure and staffing demand greater investment.